This study was undertaken to determine proportions of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care whose mothers received various types of infertility treatment and to evaluate infertility treatment-associated morbidity and mortality.
Study Design
Study infants were multiples with birth weight 401 to 1500 g cared for in Cincinnati neonatal intensive care units from January 1996 to December 2000. Data were obtained retrospectively from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network registry. Use of infertility treatment (in vitro fertilization, injection or oral ovulation, and intrauterine insemination) was determined by maternal interview or chart review. The generalized estimating equation approach to logistic regression was used.
Results
The study included 382 infants of 212 mothers: 201=spontaneous conception (53%), 93=in vitro fertilization (24%), 55=injection (14%), 15=oral (4%), and 18=intrauterine insemination (5%). Neither gestational age nor birth weight differed between groups. More female (58%, P=.003) and white infants (95%, P<.001) resulted from infertility treatment-induced pregnancies than from spontaneous pregnancies. Advancing gestational age significantly decreased odds for all outcomes.
Conclusion
Of VLBW multiples receiving neonatal intensive care, 47% are associated with infertility treatment. Infertility treatment does not influence outcomes in VLBW multiples.
PMID 14981381 14981381 DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2003.07.026 10.1016/j.ajog.2003.07.026
Cite this article
Hashimoto, L. N., Lindsell, C. J., Brewer, D. E., Eichel, M. M., & Donovan, E. F. (2004). Contributions of infertility treatment to very-low-birth-weight multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care. *American journal of obstetrics and gynecology*, *190*(2), 401-406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2003.07.026
Hashimoto LN, Lindsell CJ, Brewer DE, Eichel MM, Donovan EF. Contributions of infertility treatment to very-low-birth-weight multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;190(2):401-406. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2003.07.026
Hashimoto, Laura Nickles, et al. "Contributions of infertility treatment to very-low-birth-weight multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care." *American journal of obstetrics and gynecology*, vol. 190, no. 2, 2004, pp. 401-406.
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